Entertainment

Google TV: What You Need to Know

The unveiling of Google TV today leaves many of us with more questions than answers. When can we buy one, and for how much? What kind of hardware and subscription services will we need? Can we get it in Canada?

Here are the facts straight from the CEOs of the companies involved in Google TV, including Google and Sony themselves.

Info for Consumers

With the Sony television sets, hardware will be integrated.

For non-Sony HDTVs, external hardware will use HDMI.

Hardware will be available exclusively from Best Buy.

Once you buy the hardware, the service will be free.

Google TV will eventually integrate with Sony Playstation.

Tech

Google TV is more robust than web TV or Apple TV; it's not just a browser or a guide.

Instead of a "guide," you'll be able to search for and navigate both TV and online content.

You'll be able to download and run Android apps from your TV.

You'll be able to control your TV from your Android mobile device, including voice-activated searches.

Required bandwidth will depend on the kind of content you consume, but good performance can be expected from 3MB/s connections.

The technology "stack" is the Android OS (2.1 to start) with the Chrome browser.

Timelines

Developers can work on Google TV projects starting today.

Google TV will be available to consumers by fall 2010 in the U.S.

Aggressive international expansion is planned for 2011.

Android Market for Google TV will launch in early 2011.

Google TV APIs will be available in early 2011.

In summer 2011, Google TV will be open sourced.

We're very excited to see and use Google TV ourselves, and we're very curious as to what the exact price point will be. We'll keep you updated as we learn more.

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